Credit: The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie, right, leaves the ice after getting injured on a hit by Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Cooke during the second period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series in St. Paul, Minn., Monday, April 21, 2014. The Wild won 1-0 in overtime. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The momentum of this first-round playoff series has shifted to Minnesota.

For the Wild to keep their edge, or for the Colorado Avalanche to recapture their advantage, they'll have to come up with a counter for the loss of an important player.